88 Wood Street

One element above all others characterises the design of Wood Street. Ultra-clear, low-iron glazing has been used for almost all of the buildings many facades. The glass, called Diamant Extra White Glass has an extraordinary level of transparency compared to standard clear glass. Despite its surprising lack of presence, the glass acts as a robust protective covering for the whole building. Individual components such as lift shafts and staircases are able to be expressed to architectural advantage without compromising the ability of the facade to protect the interior and the inhabitants from the weather.

Glass is also used to great effect on the office floors where three metre wide triple-glazed windows allow views across the capital on three sides stretching from St Paul's cathedral in the west to Canary Wharf in the east.

The site lies at the heart of the City of London, between St Paul's Cathedral and Moorgate and was subject to complex planning negotiations with the Corporation of London. The building rises in three linked steps of 10, 14 and 18 storeys, responding to the geometries of the site: at its highest it complements the buildings lining London Wall, while the lowest block is sympathetic to the scale of the Wren tower in Wood Street.

Public Realm

The form of the building is in direct response to the need to protect the existing public realm, including the open spaces of the two churchyards (St Olaves and St Mary's) as well as a number of sensitive historic buildings adjacent to the site. The three block massing solution responds directly to the existing street pattern and the various heights of buildings in the immediate locality.

Energy

The sophisticated glazing system allows maximum daylight penetration to all floors, and incorporates integral internal blinds, remotely controlled to protect the building from unwanted solar gain and glare.